Where Can You Study Abroad for Low Tuition fees?

While university fees continue to rise in many parts of the world, some of you might be thinking that getting a recognised degree qualification, abroad, is simply impossible without having a four- or five-figure budget at your disposal, or without obtaining a scholarship.

We have selected four of the most common study abroad destinations for their rankings, education quality, reputation and of course, tuition fees. There are many countries worldwide where students are able to study abroad for free or for a very affordable amount. You just need to know where to look.

India

India is just fascinating. It’s a great choice for students who want to combine affordability with cultural diversity. English is often used as the language of instruction at Indian universities, especially at postgraduate level. Living costs are incredibly affordable, for example; rental in Mumbai is 376.35% cheaper than in New York City. Tuition fees vary depending on your study level and university, but are typically no higher than US$7,880 (€7041) a year, and you should be able to live comfortably on as little as US$4,600 (€4110) a year. Most top public universities India have a strong focus on engineering. If you check out the QS World University Rankings for the top ten best universities in India, seven of the ten are technical universities. The best university in India IITB (Indian Institute of Technology Bombai,) charges around 300000 Rupees, (€3843,00) per 2 semesters for foreing students. Of course for internationals, there are additional fees you need to be aware. You can check them out. If you want to get started, or need to delve deeper into the possibilites of going to India, click here.

China

If you are interested in studying in the fastest developing super power in the world, one of the most important things to consider is how much everything is going to cost. Living cost estimates are difficult since cities like Shanghai or Chengdu have different living standards as well as courses in China charge different tuition fees.

Compared with the UK or US, studying in China costs far less although it is still considerably more expensive than some European countries. But the experience and the nature of education in a developed world like China, has surpassed all expectations. Depending on the institution and the subject, students can expect to pay between €1485 to €2,700 per academic year. These are more common for the arts, humanities and several social science courses. However, programmes in medicine, engineering and business cost far more! They average betweeb €20,620 to €42,961 for an entire year. Among all the programmes offered by Chinese institutions, the bachelor of medicine and the bachelor of surgery have the most expensive application fees. The higher the university is ranked in China’s league tables, the more expensive the application fee.

Meanwhile these tuition fees might override certain expectations, it is worth knowing that Chinese degrees, the educational structure, blended with culture and tradition creates and amazing experience. If you are passionate to pursue your academia in one of China’s pricey courses, there are plenty of scholarship programmes out there. You can search for them here.

Europe

Norway

In this part, we will be speaking solely of EU/EEA countries. Starting out with the Nordic countries, they are relatively affordable study destinations for applicants from the European Union… that is, they are mostly known to give free tuition. However Norway stands out the most as it remains free for everyone! From both within and outside the EU, at public universities, with the exception of a few specialized programs. Europe’s Nordic countries are known for their high quality of life and stunning natural beauty, and Norway is no exception. The availability of English-taught programs at all study levels are stunning. On top of that, a high number of locals’ proficiency in English is remarkable. However, as with the other Nordic countries, Norway comes with a high price tag in terms of living costs. In fact, Norway is regarded as highly expensive even for other Scandinavian countries. You’ll need around NOK 139,680 ($17,200) or (€15350) per year to be able to get around this northern country. And not to mention, the extra winter coat you will need to bring along for those chilly nights.

Germany

Known as ‘the land of ideas.’ Once again, tuition fees are either non-existent for EU citizens or very low. Germany is continuing to grow in popularity with international students as they are opening more and more English taught programmes. On top of that, the country offers reputable universities and a high quality of life. There are no tuition fees charged at undergraduate and PhD level at all public universities, (excluding those in the state of Baden-Württemberg.) However it is essential to speak German well for most of their course. A TestDaf or ÖSD on a C1 level is a common requirement

The case for Master’s students is different. There are a range of English-taught courses, particularly at graduate level. Those who have not studied their undergraduate degree in Germany and come outside of EU or EEA countries will have to pay around €20,000 ($23,450) per year. You may be able to find a scholarship to help.

France

Students have to pay higher tuition fees if they are citizens of countries that are not part of the EEA, or Switzerland. It is sad to say, that the tuition fees for French public universities will sky-rocket this year. The cost of attending a French university for students from outside the EU is set to shoot up from €170 to €2,770 per year, a jump of 16 times the current fees, from autumn 2019.

2,770 euros per year for Bachelor’s (Licence) programmes,

3,770 euros per year for Master’s programmes,

Central Europe

Austria, Hungary or Poland are affordable alternatives with modest tuition fees of 1,500 to 2,000 euros per year. Also the living expenses can be considered somewhat more affordable, especially in Poland and Hungary. But they are less common choices for people outside of the EU.

Mexico

Full of interesting and unique cultures to explore. When people think of Mexico they either conjure up the image of ancient Mayan pyramids, or they think of sunning, surfing, siesta and salsa dips Whichever image you’re chasing, Mexico will not disappoint.

Mexico is one of Latin America’s most-visited nations, and has lots to offer for international students from across the world. Tuition fees vary, with private universities charging more (as usual) and average around US$6,300 (€5607) per year for international undergraduate students in Mexico City. Living expenses are also reasonably low in Mexico, with all living costs adding up to around US$9,250 (€8233) on a standard budget in Mexico City, or US$6,450 (€5741) elsewhere like Cuernavaca, Guadalajara, Cancun or Puebla. Although the main language of instruction is Spanish, Mexican universities are offering more English-taught courses to attract international students every year.